The Ministry of Development Planning and Statistics has released preliminary figures of the value of exports of domestic goods, re-exports, and imports for May 2017. A brief analysis of the data is given below:
In May 2017, the total exports of goods (including exports of goods of domestic origin and re-exports) amounted to around QR 20.2 billion, showing an increase of 18.4% compared to May 2016, and increased by 7.6% compared to April 2017. )Table 1).
On other hand, the imports of goods in May 2017 amounted to around QR 9.5 billion, showing decrease of 0.3% over May 2016. However, on a month on month (M-o-M) basis the imports increase by 5.8%.
In May 2017, the foreign merchandise trade balance, which represents the difference between total exports and imports, showed a surplus of QR 10.7 billion almost, i.e. a increase of about QR 3.2 billion or 41.7% compared to May 2016, And increased by nearly QR 0.9 billion or 9.2% compared to April 2017.
The year on year (May 2017 to May 2016) increase in total exports was mainly due to higher exports of Petroleum gases and other gaseous hydrocarbons (LNG, condensates, propane, butane, etc.) reaching 12.0 billion approximately in May 2017, i.e. an increase of 21.6%, while increase was shown in Petroleum oils & oils from bituminous minerals (crude) reaching QR 3.3 billion nearly, increased by 8.3%, and increases in the Petroleum oils & oils from bituminous minerals (not crude) reaching QR 1.1 billion, increased by 29.7%.
In May 2017, Japan was at the top of the countries of destination of Qatar’s exports with close to QR 3.2 billion, a share of 15.9% of total exports, followed by South Korea with almost QR 2.9 billion and a share of 14.3%, Singapore with about QR 2.3 billion, a share of 11.2%.
During May 2017, the group of "Turbojets, Turbo propellers & Other Gas Turbines; Parts Thereof.", was at the top of the imported group of commodities, with QR 0.6 billion, showing an increase of 69.6% compared to May 2016. In second place was "Motor cars & other passenger vehicles", with QR 0.5 billion, showing an decrease by 0.6%, and in third place was "Electrical Apparatus For Line Telephony/Telegraphy, Telephone Sets Etc.; Parts Thereof", with QR 0.2 billion, decrease of 36.7%.
In May 2017, Germany was the leading country of origin of Qatar’s imports with about QR 1.0 billion, a share of 11.0% of the imports, followed by China with QR 1.0 billion almost, a share of 10.4%, and United State of America with QR 1.0 billion, a share of 10.3%.
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